News from our elected representatives

Attorney General Letitia James announces $62.5 million in settlement credits
for Spectrum customers

Attorney General Letitia James

Attorney General Letitia James announced that Spectrum
(formerly Time Warner Cable) has started to issue credits to New York consumers
as required by Charter Communications, Inc.’s Dec. 17, 2018 settlement
agreement. The settlement agreement resulted from an action brought by the
Office of the Attorney General alleging that the company failed to deliver
customers the reliable and fast internet service it had promised.

Under the terms of the settlement, Charter is required to
issue monetary relief to qualified subscribers and offer video streaming
services, described below, at no charge. In all, qualified subscribers will
receive $62.5 million in bill credits. Subscribers do not have to fill out any
paperwork to obtain the credit, but must contact Spectrum to receive the
streaming services.

“Today, New Yorkers will start to receive the tens of
millions of dollars and additional services owed to them due to the company’s
failure to provide quality services to its customers,” said James. “In issuing
the largest-ever consumer payout by an internet service provider, my office is
proud to set a higher standard for the way that internet providers accurately
market services.”

Spectrum will also offer the following streaming services to
approximately 2.2 million current internet subscribers at no extra charge:

Current subscribers who subscribe to both internet and cable
television from Spectrum will have a choice of either three months of HBO or six
months of Showtime. (Note: This benefit is available to subscribers who do not
already subscribe to both of the offered services through Spectrum.)

Internet-only subscribers will get one month of Spectrum TV
Choice streaming service—in which subscribers can (depending on their location)
access broadcast television and a choice of 10 pay TV networks—as well as
access to Showtime for one month.

Consumers will have until May 30, 2019, to select the no
extra charge premium services they want. Consumers should call Spectrum at 833.422.8795
for further information.

James wants to ensure that all eligible subscribers are able
to receive the no cost streaming services; we encourage subscribers to share
their experience redeeming the offer by completing this survey.

Current internet service subscribers who leased a DOCSIS 2.0
modem on a tier of 20 Mbps or higher or an 802.11n wireless router on a tier of
200 Mbps or higher, or who subscribed to a legacy Time Warner Cable plan of 100
Mbps or higher (as of Feb. 1, 2017) will receive a credit of $75. Further,
subscribers who leased a DOCSIS 2.0 modem on a tier of 20 Mbps or higher for 24
months or more will receive an additional credit.

Brindisi bill would
require cable and internet companies fined by a public service commission to
report to FCC

Continuing his work to hold Charter/Spectrum accountable,
Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) held a roundtable in Binghamton to hear
from NY-22 residents about challenges they have experienced with their cable
and internet providers. Brindisi recently introduced a bill, the Transparency
for Cable Consumers Act, to improve transparency and hold cable and internet
companies accountable.

The TCCA will require companies fined by a state public
service commission to file an annual report with the Federal Communications
Commission, providing details on what they charge consumers, what broadband
internet speeds they provide and other information. Brindisi has heard from
thousands of constituents unhappy about frequent rate hikes and poor customer
service.

“We’ve heard from small business owners, seniors, farmers
and families frustrated with the service they receive from their cable and
internet providers,” said Brindisi. “Crawling internet speeds can take away
people’s connection to jobs, health care, information and important online
services. It’s not just an inconvenience; it hurts our way of life.”

“My cable bill recently went up a lot, and I am extremely
frustrated with my cable provider, Spectrum,” said Laura Lutz of Binghamton. “I
have trouble understanding how telecommunications companies are able to
regularly raise rates on their customers with no advance warning. I’ve reached
out to Congressman Brindisi’s office on this issue and am glad he is taking
action to make them more accountable.”

In New York state, Charter Communications was fined $2
million after the company failed to meet its obligation to expand broadband by
its required deadline. Broadband internet is crucial to economic development
and vibrant communities; 80 percent of Americans without high-speed broadband
live in rural communities.

In January, Brindisi demanded the FCC outline its plans to
hold Charter/Spectrum accountable and the steps it will take to ensure Upstate
New Yorkers finally have access to affordable high-speed broadband. In response
to his letter, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wrote that the FCC may impose additional
sanctions and conditions should the FCC find that Charter is failing to meet
its obligations to expand broadband access.

Brindisi also co-sponsored the ACCESS BROADBAND Act (H.R.
1328), bipartisan legislation to improve the federal government’s management of
broadband resources. The bill would establish a dedicated government office to
track the federal dollars given to cable companies, expand broadband access and
streamline the application process for local governments seeking funding for
broadband expansion.

Brindisi taking NY-22 voices to Congress; Agriculture Advisory Council made
up of local farmers, agriculture partners; helps guide congressman’s work on House
Agriculture Committee

Joined by members of his Agriculture Advisory Council,
Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) recently announced his upcoming rural
agenda and his priorities on the House Agriculture Committee.

Brindisi’s plan, “Working for Rural New York,” focuses on
solving problems rural New Yorkers face including supporting local farmers and
producers, investing in infrastructure and rural broadband and improving health
care for rural New Yorkers.

“From Windsor to Sandy Creek, rural New York is made up of
hardworking men and women who know how to solve problems and get things done,”
Brindisi said. “Too often, however, our rural communities are left behind by a
broken system that puts politics over solutions. From lack of broadband access to skyrocketing
health care costs, it’s time to finally address the real challenges rural New
Yorkers face.”

Brindisi held his first Agriculture Advisory Council meeting
in Cortland. The body is made up of dairy farmers, farm bureau members, apple
producers and other agriculture partners who help guide Brindisi’s work on the
Agriculture Committee and in Congress.

“I am pleased to serve on Congressman Brindisi’s Agriculture
Advisory Committee,” said Victoria Giarratano, executive director, Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Broome County. “It is important to communicate with
our federal elected officials the needs and challenges that our local farmers
and producers find important to their economic vitality. Cornell Cooperative
Extension works to strengthen agriculture and food systems throughout the
region and to support agribusinesses through our research-based, integrated,
food systems platform.”

“Our local agriculture is paramount to our wellness, and positive
economic impact for Upstate New York,” said Mark Bordeau, senior food service director,
Broome Tioga BOCES. “I am pleased that Congressman Brindisi recognizes the
importance of our agriculture community and has a newly formed advisory
committee, consisting of a diverse group of members, to assist in developing
the direction of policy. I am humbled to
have been asked and look forward to participating in this important committee’s
discussions.”

“It is important that youth be represented on the Ag Committee
for we are the future of agriculture,” said Chelsie Fuller, current Tioga
County Dairy Princess. “There needs to be a strong commitment to youth
development in Agriculture. It is equally important that farmers, lawmakers,
and educators promote a positive image of dairy and all agriculture. We also need to ensure government does not
regulate farmers out of existence.”

Following first Veterans Advisory Council meeting, Brindisi announces
“Serving Upstate New York Veterans” plan

Brindisi working in congress to deliver results for the
nearly 50,000 veterans in NY-22

Joined by members of his Veterans Advisory Council,
Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) announced his veterans agenda and
priorities on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Brindisi’s plan focuses on delivering results for Upstate
New York veterans by improving veterans health care and access to care for
rural New York veterans, increasing economic opportunity for veterans, and
connecting veterans with the resources and support they need.

“One of our most important duties as Americans is taking
care of those who bravely fought for our freedoms and way of life,” Brindisi
said. “Almost 50,000 men and women across New York’s 22nd Congressional District
answered the call to serve, and they deserve access to the best jobs,
education, health care, and community services.”

Congressman Brindisi held his first Veterans’ Advisory
Council meeting; the council is made up of veterans service officers, Military
Officers Association of America members, family members and caregivers to
veterans who help guide Brindisi’s work on the House Veterans’ Affairs
Committee and in Congress. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee is known as
one of the most bipartisan committees in Congress.

“Food insecurity among our veteran and active duty
population is staggering,” said Rich Synek, founder and executive director of
Feed Our Vets in Utica. “There have been many organizations and media outlets
that have done stories on this issue to no avail with the Veterans
Administration. I appreciate the
opportunity to be a voice for our veterans with the Veterans Advisory
Committee.”

“One of the main goals of Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 944 is to have a Veterans Cemetery in our region,” said Thomas Buono,
President, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944 of Utica. “We need this
final resting place for our local veterans.
I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this and other important issues
as part of the advisory committee.”

“My interests in this committee’s work is based on the past
10 years of helping and watching my son navigate the VA medical system,” said
Kathleen Rinaldo, Board of Directors member, Veterans Outreach Center in Utica.
“I am eager to contribute to the discussions and learn from others as a member
of the committee.”

Gillibrand, Senate colleagues call on king of Saudi Arabia to
immediately release political prisoners

Many political
prisoners held by Saudi government, including American citizen Walid Fitaihi, are
held on dubious charges or without a fair trial for long periods of time

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) with eight Senate
colleagues, announced their call for the king of Saudi Arabia to immediately
and unconditionally release prisoners held by the Saudi government. Reputable
international organizations have detailed the arbitrary detention of political
activists and peaceful dissidents, some sentenced through political trials and
others held without trial for long periods of time. This includes Walid
Fitaihi, an American citizen and Harvard-trained physician who has been
imprisoned since November 2017 and who has been reportedly tortured. Along with
Fitaihi, the Senators also called for the release of writer Raif Badawi, human
rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair and women’s rights activists Loujain
al-Hathloul and Samar Badawi, among many others.

“The brutality of the Khashoggi killing and Saudi-led
intervention in Yemen, as well as the continued detention of political
prisoners threaten not only Saudi Arabia’s regional role but also the future of
the U.S.-Saudi relationship,” the Senators wrote to King Salman. “We will continue to closely watch Saudi
action—or inaction—on human rights as Congress considers measures related to
the Middle East. Our shared interests must be underscored by support for basic
values and freedoms, as anything else will not be sustainable.”

In their letter to Salman, the Senators also raised their
concerns about the Saudi government’s systematic human rights abuses, including
the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Senators called
for a full accounting of the murder by Saudi authorities.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) met with United States Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson as part of her visit to Rome Lab. Brindisi released the following statement after the meeting:

“One of the first things I did as a member of Congress was go to Rome Labs and meet with Col. Lawrence for an update on the innovative, groundbreaking work they are doing in New York’s 22nd congressional district,” Brindisi said. “After my visit, I invited Secretary Wilson to come to Rome Lab, and I am grateful she was able to join us today.

“Rome Lab’s work is critical to our country’s safety and security, and they are a huge driver of our local economy, bringing good-paying, competitive jobs to our region. I look forward to continuing to work with the Air Force and Rome Lab to ensure they have the resources and support they need to continue their critical research and keep our country safe.”

May passes Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act

Senator Rachel May

Finger Lakes bill S2270 to prohibit the siting of new
incinerators in the Finger Lakes region passed Senate and Assembly. Senator Rachel
May (SD-53) successfully passed the Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act
(62-0, unofficial) to prevent the construction of any new incinerators in the
Finger Lakes Region. The bill was co-sponsored this session by Senator Helming
(SD-54).

The Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act prevents a waste-to-energy
facility from receiving approvals if it poses risk to public health and safety
within an environmentally sensitive area; is within 10 miles of a priority
waterbody which is a critical source of drinking water, a tourism driver and
has vulnerabilities to harmful algal blooms; is within a thriving
agriculture-tourism region; or is within 50 miles of a state approved landfill
of other solid waste management facilities.

“The Finger Lakes are just outside my district, but
pollution and natural beauty don’t adhere to political boundaries,” May said. “I
was happy to partner with Senator Helming to ensure that we are protecting our
state’s natural beauty. The Finger Lakes region is home to thriving wine
country, beautiful and productive farmland, and drinking water sources for many
of our cities and towns across Upstate. It is vital that we work
collaboratively to ensure our natural resources are cared for and we are
protecting our growing local economies from large outside corporate interests.”

The bill is retroactively effective Feb. 1, 2018, ensuring
that the bill will not apply to any facility in operation as of that date.

This week, the Republican County Chairs of the 10 counties
comprising the Sixth Judicial District met to formally endorsed Oliver Blaise,
III, Chris Baker and Mark Masler in this year’s election for three open spots
for the New York State Supreme Court. The Sixth Judicial District encompasses
all of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego,
Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

Blaise, 47, is a partner at Coughlin & Gerhart in
Binghamton and has been an attorney for more than two decades, serving as
general or litigation counsel to municipalities, fire districts, fire companies
and school districts. He has performed trial and appellate work in municipal
and commercial cases, intellectual property, real property and personal injury
litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

The part-time Republican election commissioner with the
Broome County Board of Elections, Blaise and his wife Dalya are parents of four
children, and he is active with United Way and Sertoma Club in Binghamton.

“The decisions made in State Supreme Court can affect
everyone who lives and works in the 10 counties of the Sixth Judicial District,
and residents need an experienced and capable judiciary serving them,” Blaise said.
“I will be a fair, effective and responsive judge, and work to meet the highest
standards of judicial service needed for our region.”

Judge Chris Baker, 49, serves as a Chemung County Court
Judge and Acting State Supreme Court Justice. Since taking office in 2016,
Judge Baker has presided over thousands of cases covering all aspects of the
law. Prior to being elected to County Court, he served as the Confidential
Attorney, Counselor and Principal Law Clerk for State Supreme Court Judge
O’Shea, whom he is running to succeed. He was born and raised in Elmira, and
lives with his wife, Karen, and their two sons on the same street where he grew
up.

“State Supreme Court is one of the most critical positions
in our legal system, having a direct impact on the lives of countless New
Yorkers every day,” said Baker. “I’m honored to have the support of the ten
Republican Chairs and their respective County Committees as I run to serve the
people of the Sixth Judicial District.”

Born in Broome County, Mark Masler went to Cornell
University where he studied agriculture and earned a degree in business management.
After college, Mark and his wife Bernice operated a family dairy farm for seven
years. Masler graduated from Cornell Law School in 1993, before embarking on a
25-year legal career. He was formerly a partner at Harris Beach PLLC and
currently serves as the attorney and principal law clerk to Justice Phillip R.
Rumsey. Masler and Bernice have lived in Cortland County for 35 years. They
have four children and one grandchild.

“Serving as a Supreme Court Justice requires an
understanding of the job, but also the ability to be fair and impartial,”
Masler said. “I believe that my experience of working closely with Justice
Rumsey for over 10 years as his attorney and principal law clerk is the best
preparation to succeed him. I have gained knowledge of the entire range of
subjects considered by the Supreme Court by assisting him with all aspects of
the work of the court, including the conduct of jury trials and by drafting
over 900 decisions.

“I’m grateful for the support of the ten Republican
County Chairs and their respective committees, and look forward to working with
them over the course of this campaign to ensure we are successful on election day.”

Three seats for State Supreme Court in the Sixth Judicial
District will be on the ballot in this year’s election due to the retirements
of Judges Ferris Lebous of Broome County, Judith O’Shea of Chemung County and
Phillip Rumsey of Cortland County.